Matrix Heating Platform With Non-Contact Sensing for Warming Therapy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional warming therapy devices waste energy by heating the entire mattress, leading to inefficiencies and increased power consumption, and use contact-type sensors that can inhibit patient movement and pose risks, especially for newborns.

Innovation Solution

A warming device with a patient support platform divided into heating areas, using non-contact sensors and a radiant heating source with adjustable heating segments controlled by a controller to distribute heat only where needed, reducing energy waste and minimizing sensor-related risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a radiant heat source heats the entire mattress, then the patient receives warming therapy, but energy is wasted and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient warmingVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is divided into multiple independently controllable heating zones corresponding to different regions of the mattress. Each zone can be activated or deactivated based on the patient's position and warming needs, allowing selective heating rather than heating the entire mattress uniformly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the mattress are equipped with heating elements that can be controlled independently to provide localized warming. The system adjusts the heating intensity and distribution to match the patient's body shape and thermal requirements in specific areas, optimizing energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If contact-type sensors are used to sense patient temperature, then temperature monitoring is achieved, but patient movement is inhibited and injury risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature sensingVSAvoidpatient injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces contact-type mechanical sensors with non-contact infrared temperature sensing technology. This allows temperature monitoring without physical contact, eliminating the risks of skin damage from adhesives and lead wires, while also preventing movement restrictions on the patient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Infrared radiation serves as an intermediary medium to transfer thermal information from the patient's body to the sensors without requiring direct contact. This intermediary approach enables accurate temperature measurement while maintaining patient comfort and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If contact-type sensors are used, then temperature sensing is possible, but sensor dislodgement occurs due to patient movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature sensingVSAvoidsensor position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device efficiently heats only the areas of the patient's body that require warming, reducing energy consumption and eliminating the risks associated with contact-type sensors, while maintaining a comfortable and safe environment.

Implementation Method 1

The radiant heating source includes a plurality of heating segments, each heating segment having a corresponding warming region. The controller is configured to control a physiological parameter of the patient... emitting radiation 204 onto the patient, as needed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

A warming device with a patient support platform divided into heating areas, using non-contact sensors and a radiant heating source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS20090177257A1Method and apparatus for performing warming therapy utilizing matrix heating

Publication Date: 2009.07.09 DRAGERWERK AG

AI summary

An apparatus and method for performing warming therapy is described. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a warming platform, a heating source, a controller, and a plurality sensors. The heating source comprises a plurality of heating elements forming a matrix, wherein each heating element is operable to heat a corresponding region of the warming platform. The controller is operatively coupled to the heating source for controlling the temperature in each region of the warming platform. The plurality of sensors are operatively coupled to the controller for sensing a physiological parameter of a patient (e.g., body temperature) residing on the warming platform, and providing one or more control signals to the controller for selectively controlling the heating elements.